Captain Galen Plummer
I met Galen the summer of 1999 about 3 months after Diane and I had moved to Belfast from Princeton New Jersey.
Diane came across St. Margaret’s while seeking a church to attend, as well as an opportunity to sing in a local choir, so we had Farther Kent pay us a pastoral visit and were introduced the community of St Margaret’s. It seemed like a fine idea to Diane and to get along I went along, skeptic that I am.
After one of the Sunday services Galen and Barbara were stationed at the front door chatting with parishioners and introduced themselves to us. It was a delight to meet them. Galen’s warmth and his welcoming manner truly captured me. That day started an abiding friendship with the Plummers, Barbara opening her heart and home to us for companionship and lovely dinners, Galen telling engaging tales of adventure on the high seas while in the US Navy submarine service.
He and I spoke that first day about how we both happened to wind up in Belfast via circuitous routes, and it became clear there was much between us to explore. Little did I realize at the time that in Galen I was meeting a true teacher and mentor. I found in my time with him a tranquility I didn’t know I’d been longing for much of my life. As we became better acquainted we found ourselves falling into discussions about the things that drove us, ideas we questioned and answers to questions to which we’d only had hints as we navigated our courses through life.
Galen proved to be a friend willing to completely accept me and my stumbling efforts to find faith and belief. The simplicity of his way of looking at life and his trusting faith in prayer were completely new to me and I found his honesty about his own struggles compelling. I knew I wanted access to the mysterious power he had found, the power he relied upon to help him in tough times and that he was so freely willing to share with me.
Many of our conversations took place in the early morning at local area cafés over bacon and eggs and coffee. Or we’d spend hour after hour on the water in his beloved sailboat Linonia. Something about his gentle and graceful command of that lovely craft made my heart sing and I felt great comfort and peace accompanying him on the waters of Penobscot Bay.
Galen taught me the great joy and vitality of service and together we worked at St. Margaret’s by joining “MOMS”, the Men of St. Margaret’s, to help with various odd jobs around the church. The serenity achieved by giving back was a slow revelation that Galen, with great humor and zest, patiently showed me. He gave so much and asked so little.
I have in him an irreplaceable friend whose love for me, trust and guidance will reside in my heart like that of a father. Rest well my dear, dear friend.
Jefferson Linck ~ March 2009
Read MoreDiane came across St. Margaret’s while seeking a church to attend, as well as an opportunity to sing in a local choir, so we had Farther Kent pay us a pastoral visit and were introduced the community of St Margaret’s. It seemed like a fine idea to Diane and to get along I went along, skeptic that I am.
After one of the Sunday services Galen and Barbara were stationed at the front door chatting with parishioners and introduced themselves to us. It was a delight to meet them. Galen’s warmth and his welcoming manner truly captured me. That day started an abiding friendship with the Plummers, Barbara opening her heart and home to us for companionship and lovely dinners, Galen telling engaging tales of adventure on the high seas while in the US Navy submarine service.
He and I spoke that first day about how we both happened to wind up in Belfast via circuitous routes, and it became clear there was much between us to explore. Little did I realize at the time that in Galen I was meeting a true teacher and mentor. I found in my time with him a tranquility I didn’t know I’d been longing for much of my life. As we became better acquainted we found ourselves falling into discussions about the things that drove us, ideas we questioned and answers to questions to which we’d only had hints as we navigated our courses through life.
Galen proved to be a friend willing to completely accept me and my stumbling efforts to find faith and belief. The simplicity of his way of looking at life and his trusting faith in prayer were completely new to me and I found his honesty about his own struggles compelling. I knew I wanted access to the mysterious power he had found, the power he relied upon to help him in tough times and that he was so freely willing to share with me.
Many of our conversations took place in the early morning at local area cafés over bacon and eggs and coffee. Or we’d spend hour after hour on the water in his beloved sailboat Linonia. Something about his gentle and graceful command of that lovely craft made my heart sing and I felt great comfort and peace accompanying him on the waters of Penobscot Bay.
Galen taught me the great joy and vitality of service and together we worked at St. Margaret’s by joining “MOMS”, the Men of St. Margaret’s, to help with various odd jobs around the church. The serenity achieved by giving back was a slow revelation that Galen, with great humor and zest, patiently showed me. He gave so much and asked so little.
I have in him an irreplaceable friend whose love for me, trust and guidance will reside in my heart like that of a father. Rest well my dear, dear friend.
Jefferson Linck ~ March 2009
